Press Release
August 21, 2008

ANGARA JOINS DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION IN DENVER

Senator Edgardo J. Angara will attend the International Leaders Forum (ILF) at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado from August 25-29, where Democratic presidential bet Barack Obama will formally accept his nomination.

The ILF, hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) since 1984, is attended by 500 international leaders including current and former heads of state, speakers of parliament, elected officials, cabinet ministers, political party leaders and ambassadors from over 100 countries.

Angara participates in the convention upon the invitation of former US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NDI.

"This historic convention provides an excellent opportunity to participate in the discussion of vital topics including U.S. politics, domestic policy issues and international affairs," said Angara.

Participants will observe the convention proceedings and take part in a series of bipartisan panel discussions on the U.S. political process, foreign and domestic policy issues, and media coverage of the presidential race. They will also have the rare opportunity to exchange ideas informally with their counterparts from around the world while getting a first-hand view of an American national political convention.

"This event highlights the global democracy movement and gathers those who have been on the front lines of promoting peaceful political change and strengthening democratic institutions," he said.

In the Philippine Senate, Angara is pushing for the passage of the Political Party Development and Campaign Finance Act, which will transform political parties into public institutions and provide state subsidy to political parties that will adopt an internal code of conduct and agree to public audit of their financial transactions

Angara also authored significant laws on good governance and institutional reform, including the e-procurement law which now stands as the Philippine's biggest anti-corruption measure. Angara also created the Ombudsman's Office and pushed for the ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) by the Philippine Senate.

As member of the Executive Board of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), an Ottawa-based anti-corruption group. Angara is founding President of the South East Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC).

Angara is the longest serving member of the Senate and Chair of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LABAN). He is accompanied by Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, deputy majority floor leader of the House of Representatives.

NDI is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization that has supported democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for more than two decades. ILF is privately funded by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations.

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